The success represents a major confidence boost for DevelopRes as they pursue further domestic and European honours. Under head coach Jelena Blagojević, the team demonstrated impressive attacking efficiency, strong serving and the ability to remain composed during decisive moments. Grbavica, who joined the club ahead of the new campaign, was among the players contributing to an encouraging start to the season.
The Super Cup victory was particularly meaningful because DevelopRes defeated the reigning Polish champions, who had overcome them in the previous domestic championship final. The result therefore provided an early opportunity to reverse that disappointment and underline the team's ambitions for the months ahead.
DevelopRes Dominate Polish Super Cup Final
DevelopRes entered the final determined to establish control from the opening exchanges and immediately imposed their attacking rhythm. Effective serving from Alicja Grabka helped the Rzeszów side establish an early advantage, while strong contributions from Julita Piasecka, Marrit Jasper and Weronika Centka-Tietianiec kept Budowlani under pressure. The team maintained its lead throughout the opening set, eventually securing a comfortable 25–19 victory.
The second set proved considerably more demanding, with the Polish champions responding strongly and producing a much more competitive performance. DevelopRes appeared to be in control after establishing a lead late in the set, but Budowlani fought back to force an extended finish. Both teams had opportunities to secure the decisive points, creating a tense atmosphere as the score moved beyond the usual 25-point mark.
However, DevelopRes demonstrated greater composure during the final rallies and eventually claimed the set 29–27. The outcome proved decisive, as Budowlani struggled to recover from the disappointment of losing such a closely contested period. With a two-set advantage, the Rzeszów side entered the third set with renewed confidence and gradually increased its control over the match.
The final set followed a more comfortable pattern for DevelopRes, who maintained their attacking intensity and prevented their opponents from building sustained pressure. Strong performances from Piasecka and Jasper helped the team extend its advantage, while Grabka continued to organise the attack effectively. The set ended 25–18, confirming a convincing 3–0 victory and another Polish Super Cup title for the club.
Centka-Tietianiec was named the Most Valuable Player of the final after contributing 12 points, while Piasecka finished with 17. The performance highlighted DevelopRes' impressive squad depth and ability to deliver under pressure against one of Poland's strongest teams.
Grbavica Makes Immediate Impact With 28-Point Display
Although the Super Cup triumph was an important collective achievement, Grbavica had already demonstrated her individual quality during the opening rounds of the Polish TAURON Liga. Her most impressive performance came against Moya Radomka Radom, when the Croatian international produced an outstanding 28-point display to lead DevelopRes to a 3–1 victory.
Grbavica was particularly effective in attack, converting 27 of her 52 attempts for an impressive success rate of approximately 52 percent. She also contributed one successful block, completing a performance that earned her the match's MVP award and highlighted her potential to become one of the league's most influential attacking players.
The victory over Radomka came after a closely contested opening two sets. DevelopRes secured the first 25–22 before the visitors responded with a 25–23 win to level the contest. However, the Rzeszów side regained control in the third set, winning 25–18, before completing the match with a 25–20 victory.
Grbavica's 28 points proved especially important during moments when her team needed reliable attacking options. Marrit Jasper contributed 15 points, while Centka-Tietianiec added 11, providing additional support as DevelopRes maintained their strong start to the domestic championship.
The performance attracted attention from volleyball media in Poland and internationally, confirming that Grbavica had adapted quickly to the demands of one of Europe's strongest women's volleyball leagues. Her ability to score consistently from difficult attacking positions has already made her an important part of the team's offensive structure.
Croatian International Praises New Team and Coach
Following the Super Cup victory, Grbavica expressed her satisfaction with both the trophy and the performances that DevelopRes have produced during the opening weeks of the season. Speaking to the Croatian Volleyball Federation, she emphasised the importance of the team's collective effort and the confidence gained from defeating the reigning Polish champions.
The Croatian international explained that the victory represented an encouraging first step in a season during which DevelopRes hope to compete for every available domestic title. She expects the club to face Budowlani again in major competitions, including the Polish Cup and potentially another championship final, but believes the Super Cup success demonstrates that her new team are capable of challenging their strongest rivals.
Grbavica has also spoken positively about her transition to life in Rzeszów, explaining that she quickly established a strong connection with her teammates and coaching staff. Despite joining an internationally assembled squad, she has found the environment welcoming and believes the club provides excellent conditions for her continued development.
A particularly important influence has been head coach Jelena Blagojević, a former Serbian international who enjoyed a successful playing career. Grbavica described the opportunity to work under Blagojević as especially valuable, noting that she had previously been coached by her mother during her younger years. She believes the experience and knowledge of her new coach can help her develop further as a player.
Life away from the court has also been positive for the Croatian international. English serves as the main language of communication within the multinational squad, although Grbavica has already begun learning Polish and hopes to become more comfortable speaking the language as the season progresses. She has also praised Rzeszów as a pleasant and manageable city in which to live, helping her settle into her new surroundings.
Champions League Challenges Await
While DevelopRes have made an impressive start domestically, their European campaign promises to be considerably more demanding. The Polish club face a difficult CEV Champions League group that includes Italian powerhouses Imoco Conegliano and Igor Gorgonzola Novara, two teams with extensive experience in Europe's elite women's volleyball competition.
Grbavica acknowledged that the Champions League will present a different level of challenge from domestic competition, particularly against opponents with world-class players and significant European experience. Nevertheless, she remains optimistic about the team's ability to compete and believes the Super Cup triumph provides an important foundation for the upcoming fixtures.
The Croatian opposite hitter has also credited her strong start to the season to the preparation she completed with Croatia's national team during the summer. The squad spent several months training for the European Championship, where Croatia successfully progressed beyond the opening stage before being eliminated by Serbia in the Round of 16.
Although Croatia's European Championship campaign ended against one of the continent's strongest teams, Grbavica believes the experience was valuable for the development of the national squad. She highlighted the dedication shown throughout the preparation period and expressed confidence that Croatia's relatively young team can continue improving in future international competitions.
Her performances in Poland also represent encouraging news for Croatian women's volleyball. Competing regularly in a demanding European league gives Grbavica opportunities to face high-level opposition, improve her consistency and develop the experience needed to contribute even more effectively to the national team.
A Promising New Chapter for Grbavica
Grbavica's early success at DevelopRes Rzeszów has provided an excellent foundation for what could become an important period in her professional career. Winning the Polish Super Cup, delivering an MVP performance in the domestic league and quickly establishing herself within a competitive international squad are significant achievements for the Croatian volleyball international.
The next challenge will be maintaining that consistency throughout a demanding season that includes domestic league matches, the Polish Cup and Champions League competition. While DevelopRes have demonstrated their quality against Polish opposition, competing successfully against Europe's strongest clubs will require even greater attacking efficiency, defensive organisation and collective discipline.
For Grbavica, the move to Poland offers an opportunity to develop further while competing in an environment where expectations are high and every match presents a meaningful challenge. Her strong early performances suggest that she is adapting well to those demands and has the potential to play an influential role in the team's pursuit of additional trophies.
The Polish Super Cup triumph is an encouraging beginning for both Mika Grbavica and DevelopRes Rzeszów. With an MVP award already secured in the domestic league and major European challenges still ahead, the Croatian international has every reason to approach the remainder of the season with confidence and ambition.
More from the newsroom →